বাংলা | Epaper

বাংলা E-Paper 📍 Dhaka 📅 Friday | 2 October 2026, 17 Ashswin 1433 PID registration number 06

HEADLINE

● Cyber Police Unit begins operations ● Rooppur safety valve problem resolved ● Mild earthquake jolts Narsingdi ● BNP to ensure equal law for all: PM ● 'No political discrimination in 49th BCS' ● Jamaat MP’s relative, 2 others placed on remand over ECB vandalism ● PM opens Muhuri-Kahua irrigation project in Feni

FIFA blocks retirement of Messi’s No. 10 shirt

Published : Thursday, 1 October, 2026 at 11:10 PM

Observer Online Report

Collected Photo

FIFA regulations are blocking Argentina’s plan to retire Lionel Messi’s iconic No. 10 shirt, meaning the number must remain available for official international tournaments.

Argentina wanted to permanently retire the No. 10 as a tribute to Messi following his retirement from international football. However, FIFA tournament rules require national teams to assign consecutive squad numbers, meaning Argentina cannot simply leave No. 10 vacant in competitions such as the World Cup and Copa America.

The same issue arose when Argentina tried to retire Diego Maradona’s No. 10 ahead of the 2002 World Cup. FIFA rejected the request, forcing Argentina to assign the number to another player.

However, Argentina can leave the No. 10 unused in some friendly matches.

-AH

Also read

B'desh drawn in tough group for 2027 ODI World Cup

Bangladesh concede six goals to Indonesia in first half

ICC introduces major changes to cricket rules

Messi to receive honorary doctorate before Argentina farewell

Is this the end of Ronaldo’s Portugal career?

Can Bangladesh mark Hamza’s birthday with a win?

Pakistan end Bangladesh’s Asian Games gold hopes

Argentina begin Messi-less era with 4-0 win over Bolivia

Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury

Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], ‍[email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296

🔝